Gibson Les Paul Standard vs Sire Larry Carlton L7 - Can the Sire compete?
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- Опубликовано: 6 мар 2022
- For my Presets visit: johnnathancordy.gumroad.com/ You asked about how the Sire Larry Carlton L7 shapes up next to a good example (I think?) of a Gibson Les Paul Standard - this one from 2002. I picked them both up this morning to try and be as fair as possible and be honest with myself and you, the viewer, about whether I'd be happy with the Sire after playing this Gibson....
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Great playing! I love watching your vids to listen to your cool phrasing - AND great reviews of equipment! Great work! Thanks!
I just got the Sire, and you play beautifully. Now I know how much work I have ahead of me. Thank -You!
That soloing at the end. it was so juicy man. Beautiful playing.
Really interesting. At that quality level, the only decider is playability. They both sound amazing and pretty damn close.
Sounds great and stellar playing, as always! With that much gain, they are hard to tell apart. I would still give the nod to the Gibson (slightly).
At the end of the day it doesn‘t matter much what one plays as long as it feels good and is inspiring.
I have them both and the truth is that the Sire not only sounds more in tune, it is much more comfortable and its sound is impeccable... no one in this video would have guessed which is which just from the sound, don't be the experts.
Thinking of getting one as don't have a les Paul. You reckon it's gig ready straight out the box? No pickup changes needed?
Honestly I had a L7 gold top and was very happy since I changed the pick up for PAF 59 Hepcat. But still it doesn’t have the soul of a LP . Here the guy plays through an emulated sound not a lamp amplifier so it’s not the real sound of the guitar we ear .
So I eventually bought a second hand Gibson Classic Les Paul , it’s more expensive but worth it really and another world .
wouldnt that be the same for the sound of both of them..ie, not the real sound.@@nicolasfosse8724
you could also change the pick-ups...that would get the sound closer to a REAL Les Paul...not forgetting, it's a relatively budget guitar. If this was a comparrison with an Epiphone Les Paul, by all accounts , the Sire would win by a country mile.
Your song playing here is so nice, great and emotional, that its reason for starting learning guitar. Thank you very much.👍
My friend, I'm sure I heard you say that the Gibson spoke to you. I rather believe that it was you speaking to the Gibson instead! It's not the guitar---it's the player and you sound fabulous on either! Gary Moore would be impressed I'm certain, as am I. I've never been to this channel before and I'm subscribed now. Thank you!!! I might be able to play that song on the radio but not on a guitar. And the unfortunate fact is, I have more then one, it wouldn't matter which one I choose. That was impressive, thanks again.
Lovely playing as always, I'd pick the one that was easier to play and sounded good. I owned a 10 year old Les Paul Standard (my first guitar) for a year and played it non stop. It was chambered but felt solid. I sold that and got a Suhr Alt T with Thornbuckers and it was pretty mind blowing how close it sounded to the Gibson (home recordings) and how inspiring it feels to play.
Guitars to compare it with -
PRS McCarty 594
PRS DGT
PRS CE 24
Suhr Alt T with Thornbuckers or TB+
Sire L7 with new pickups like the TB+
not to be big headed but you got some of the best sounds I think ive heard on RUclips
A master at work .
I honestly love hearing you play more than Mancuso and Vai. You understand when to hit melancholy notes with sustain that touch the soul. It's not all about ripping through scales to impress, it's more about weaving melodies that touch the heart much like David Gilmore in Comfortably Numb. Great job.
Hey John, great tones and awesome playing. Super clean notes 👍🏻 what do you use for an amp and those lovely warm distortion tones? I’ve seen a Mesa in the background of some of your vids, is that your go to amp or do you use a modeller for recording and do you use the same for your single coil guitars? I have the L7 and love it.
Beautiful playing as always. I wish you would have mentioned what rig you were playing through on this so it would be easier to determine which guitar would be preferable.The LP sounds a bit darker to my ear and probably thicker if I were in the room with you but one has to account for the pick up difference.I recently bought an L7 and I’m quite pleased with it. I haven’t decided on whether I’m going to keep the bridge pick up yet because it almost reminds me of a P90 and I need a little bit more output for the bridge anyway I will decide soon hopefully. Love all your demos . Cheers
They sound very similar. Your tone setup with the delay and whatever other effects you have on it sound wicked awesome. What is your effects chain/amp you are using? I plan on buying the Sire L7 because of the price.
Just got my first of two Sire L7s and it is amazing ... build quality is over the top and comes with an ebony board and amazing playability, pickups, frets, etc. Get one today before they go up in price! At $600 a copy you can buy four L7s for the price of one Gibbo Standard and you get a better guitar!
Did you ever own a proper Gibson?
Give me the Sire and I’ll swap out electronics/pickups and go buy a killer tube amp with the leftover money and nobody listening will ever know the difference let alone care
the only people who will care will be guitar snobs
G. Moore smiling down from the heavens …I’m sure he’d dig this as it has his vibe! I’m toying with the idea of a Sire (hard to get at the moment) and swapping electronics (pickups, pots etc). Additionally, I’d have the Sire plek’d & set up to preferences. Still would come in under a LP $. With that said, find what works for you, there are so many options these days. Appreciate the content! Keep it up brother! 🤙
thank You for this, it's again important for people to see that good sound cost doesn't start with 1k but can bet got for much less.
You are a truly blessed player John. I appreciate and like all your reviews.
Even with RUclips compression and through my phone, it's cost from the intro alone that you are getting way more frequencies from the Gibson. Lovely playing.
Perhaps test them with the same pickup at the same string height? That would interesting
Dude that lick around 19:20 nearly brought tears to my eyes. Some real soul in your soul-o there. Thanks for this man
I prefer the Gibson's sound, but damn... if I could have only one, I'd pick Sire. It's just hard to describe just how wonderfully playable their guitars and basses are
You could probably put Gibson pickups in there though couldn't you? Would that solve the sound preference thing?
Stunning playing John , "When Gary met Eric for a pint " 👍
The sire L7 is amazing for the price. I’ve played many budget LPs and the Sire is the only one I’ve played that doesn’t sound ‘wooffy’. I slightly preferred the Gibson in this comparison, though, I preferred the Sire neck pickup. Maybe in 5 years time the sire will mellow out just a little.
What about HB?
not only for its price, its build quality is impeccable, its sound is perfect, what happens is that gibson has been stealing for years...the only thing gibson sells is its brand, nothing else.
I have a Sire H7, my first 'serious' electric guitar (the others were passing fancies that never stuck), and I love it. I noticed the L7V, and have seen no comparison of that with the humbucker model L7. Do you plan to do a head-to-head comparison?
Hi mate - have a LP identical to your friends same age too - best Les Paul I've played. Gibson really pulled out all the stops 2002/2003 to get back into the market. I added a "String Butler" and a "Obsidian Wire" harness - what an sound the LP's put out. The fretboard is very true as well. Burstbuckers are very fat and bottomy, so you have to eq the amp/modeller to suit. Every gig I do with the LP feels special, like playing 70 years of history.............
I also popped a String Butler on my LP special. Solved the problem of headstock angle.
Excellent playing ans review 👍
Wow love that tone man very nice is that that just the amp overdrive?i can hear 2 guys that come to mind eric Johnson and of course backing track styles of still have the blues for you gary Moore fantastic playing 🎉
Like so many others, I would agree the Gibson does sound better. It would be interesting to hear the comparison with the Sire loaded with the same pups as the Gibson, and for a third the price... well, let's just put it this way, I own a Sire L7 and not a Gibson LP. I come for the playing anyway. BTW - Gary Moore would be proud of your rendition!
can you tell us what amp and effects you use for the sound ,please
Honestly they both sound good. From what I hear is that the satin neck and fretboard on the Sire L7 is the selling point and of course the price.
Excellent playing mate 👏 Les Paul slightly better but ,it's very close . What amp and drive is giving you that beautiful bite ?
Do you sync your audio and video in post John or are you going direct into camera with the helix? Just curious!
Well, for a start, a lot of what makes the guitar is the feel of the neck, and that is personal. But have to say my Agile 3010 is every bit as good as the gibbo, having changed the pups to Bryan Williams Jimmy 73 MSG, and new pots with Emerson PIO caps, Still came in under $700! I gave it a fret dress and set up myself, and i'm pretty much a novice, (not hard just take time and be thorough), and it is amazing! The Agile weighs around 9.5lb, has a full 3/4 maple cap, not a veneer, just awesome sustain. You do NOT need to pay the sort of money Gibson demands to get a guitar just as good. Just do your due diligence, and a little work. Extremely satisfying. Me i would buy the Sire, change the pups and caps (and maybe pots), and have enough money left to buy a Supro Black Magik!
so what pickups were in the Les Paul standard? Burstbucker pros or 57 classics? Thanks!
Nice. Came for the comparison, stayed for the music. I can listen to stuff like this with phrasing and rhythm over mindless shredding any day.
Thank You so much! from the sound in video it seems to me that the Sire is a little darker and has a little less sustain, however it must also be said that the Gibson is 20 years old and that the Sire costs a quarter.
Love love this sound.
I currently own the Sire L7 and have played various Les Paul Standards. In John's video the LP seemed to have just a bit more sustain and depth to its sound while the L7 less so. This obviously could be due to the different pickups. Sire makes their own pickups which I think are decent and may have a little more clarity. For the current price of an L7 and a $300 dollar pickup upgrade or change you are still just under $1K. For my hands the L7 is definitely more playable and I love the satin neck vs the heavy finish on the standard LP. With all that being said, the Gibson LP is iconic and many will take that more into account than other things or differences. But with over the current $2K price difference you are getting a lot of guitar for your money in the L7.
I was just thinking the same thing. Switch out with Gibson p/up's.
@@brucefoley8555 After listening again to this matchup, the LP definitely has a bit more character and growl to it vs a tiny bit thinner sound of the Sire. Most likely due to the different pups. Still kind of on the fence on whether to change over the pikups on the Sire. There are a lot of paf style options out there incl the Gibson's burstbuckers that come normally in a standard.
Let me know when your playing somewhere local would love to see you play live
amazing sounds, im in London 👍
Nevermind the guitars! I want to know about the amp you are using and the effects please.
Lovely playing. You can practically buy the whole Sire lineup for what a decent Les Paul costs.
To me, the Gibson had a rounder sound and a longer sustain. I'd give it to the Gibson as well if price was not a factor.
The Sire sounded great, and I think it punches above its price point, but the single notes and chords from the Gibson were much more full range and well defined. If I was a person who chugged away with the pots on ten and didn't change things up, the Sire is a no-brainer. Even for most people, it's a great guitar. It's when the more nuanced, lighter and dynamic playing goes on that the Gibson just shines through. Not every Standard accomplishes this, and that was all on Gibson for not using great electronics and pickups the whole time.
What’s your prefer as a guitar player Sire or Gibson ?
And why?
they both sound great. It's just a personal preference thing in the end. Because I like a lot of gain I would prefer the L7 in this case. Just had more bite and sounded a bite brighter to me, all of which could be overcome with a boost pedal (just saying). That's my cup of tea. It's nice but still COME ON it's no Les Paul Custom even if it sounds good.
Some years ago, I picked up a Les Paul studio. Still not cheap, but cheaper. And still sounds wonderful. Interesting compromise.
I believe with a Boss GE7 with the Sire, could get you the bells and whistles of the Les Paul. What say???
Great playing either way...
I've both and love both.
With the same pu's the Sire would probably sound even better.
The very honest question for those who are about buying a new guitar is if G worth 5 times the price of S.
I think not, at all.
New times.
What pickup have this Standard? Burstbucker 1&2?
They both sound wonderful. The Sire is a bight brighter and I think that is by design?
in a blind test, I would not have guessed 5/5
sound wise they are pretty close, build quality wise worlds apart (even gibson is knows for having issues which should not be present at that price point)
and don't forget that on epiphone you can use gibson parts on sire not so much
@@gr4y1nu on Sire you won't need to.
I think Sire will be selling lots of guitars. It sounds and looks great. I have the Sire S7 (Strat style) and it’s very good.
Hey cat, how fat is that Sire neck? I have small hands and need a slim taper.. any ideas?
John, my I ask what amp you used for this demo?
You play really cool!!!
I picked up a Sire FM7 a few months back over the Fender Player Plus. Completely blown away by it. For less money it's more well put together, and I found it more comfy to play. I am in the market for an L style and I'll likely just order this online, unless I can get my hands on a Schecter SoloII to try first.
Hey did you get your schecter!?
@@kremepye3613 not yet, no one near me has one in stock and I want to try it out before pulling the trigger.
Love you homie. Great review. Agree completely but Sire is way above their class and amazing! Gibson is God. Also Sire is new to the game on electrics so in the long run the could play out with price expansion. Look at their Bass. Amazing work on both of those Axes!
Beautiful, tastefull playiing!
WoW ...thats close...the Gibson is much warmer...but if you had to pick without the visual it would be a tuff one !...great tones
The pickups on the Sire have a touch more clarity and are new. Gibson pickups don't always have the best clarity but often sound just right. I wonder if the magnets were aged (degaussed) a little on the Sire, they would give a slightly more rounded tone like the Gibson. The difference probably is the pickups.
I wonder how many people could pick out either guitar in a blind fold listening test. Visually, the two look so different that I bet this alone is skewing the perceived difference for many viewers. I think both sound great, mainly because of the great playing. FWIW, I would have preferred to hear more of the two guitars without effects. I have played many custom shop LPs that were dogs, so its hard to commit to Gibson simply because of the brand. I also wonder how consistent the Sire quality control is. If they have it nailed, they could be a far better purchase value for many on a budget, even if they don't retain the resale value of a Gibson.
Exactly this. They sound almost identical.
Realistically speaking, I bet NOBODY could tell a difference in a blindfold test and I take any bet on it.
@@greekfreak1980only if they had to take truth serum and say they could actually tell the difference. Otherwise it’s a 50/50 bet. Poor odds.
The tone most of all is in your fingers, cool. In this versus vid the question is: taste. Both sound excellent, I prefer the Gibson. I have 2 that I ll never sell.
OOh tell me about your two?
@@johnnathancordy '78 Gibson Les Paul Custom (heavy) and a 30th anniversary 82 which is also gorgeous. Love m. Take care.
The sire looks really well made and shining for the price but in all demos I pick something is wrong with the tone which i cannot explain, either those pickups are extra low output or designed only for clean playing. If anyone knows please reply. Thank for comparison, sire is definitely not a guitar for les paul tone.
Nice!. Nothing a pickup swap can try to fix on the Sire (*cough* HouseOfTone TruPAF *cough*). And like others have said, an accomplished player can make a box of frogs sound like the planets are aligning in a way only Bill & Ted know how. Also, must be washing-month in the Cordy household... See you've pinched the dog basket, again... :P
I think if you put a hotter pickup in the Sire it would help get the sound closer to the Gibson.
Both sound great. So for me it would come down to fit and finish and in this day and age I think you have a better chance with a Sire, or Epiphone than a Gibson. Hate to say it but todays Gibsons are hit and miss and I would never buy one without playing it first. Unfortunately that's not always possible today.
No dude they've had almost half a century at this point to figure out how to keep the D and G strings in tune, after that you have to realise that they make wall decorations rather than real guitars. When you spend $2100 on a guitar, for having a great instrument, not something that you have to tune every 5 minutes.
Great review. Personally, they are both sounding fantastic through your amp setup. I have an L7 on the way. I am hoping it does not play like an EPI STUDIO.
Prepare to be *very* pleasantly surprised :)
Was it a better alternative to an epi in the end?
I've never seen a response from John . Does it happen?
Pickups on the Gibson seem slightly hotter?
I Like the old time growl that a good set of burstbuckers will lend. I have a “Gibson” Les Paul, and SG. They sound and play just fine for what they are IMO.
But that being said, Sire has made a very nice instrument at a respectable price point. That sounds great as well.
That
is
All!
🤘🏼
✌🏻
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If it's that little bit of fullness in the Gibson tone that sways you, spend £200 sticking some Burstbuckers on the L7 and get the best of both worlds with £750+ still in your pocket.
Yes. Switch 'em out and you got a guitar as good as a Gibson. Some may dare say even better. The quality of the Sire is tops.
If you plug the 2 guitars into the same amp settings, they sound different. Now adjust the amp to make the Sire sound like the LP, then you get my Les Paul up for sale. Mine is a 2022 unburst, in as new condition, £1800.
The Gibson sustained nicely and had more characteristics in the notes. But still the Sire is one heck of a deal!!
I’m considering a pickup swap in my L7. It would be interesting to hear the difference with the same pickups:)
490R/490T? I'd say switch the pots out too if you know someone good.
Seymore duncan 59s are what I'm thinking. I have a pair in a charvel that ae so nice.
My L7 arrived today initially despite a few niddly bits I spent the whole afternoon on it. If it was even just a little close playing wise to my 2022 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60's spec, I would have been impressed. Sadly I am not. I build guitars and do a lot of repairs and renovations, in my opinion for it to feel as nice as my Gibson I would have to do a lot of work on it. All I can say is it is well made but the frets and neck was not finished. The only good thing about the neck was the access above the 12th fret. The pups well there is something missing and they have no zing on the low strings and too much on the top strings. Badly balanced pups. They would go in the bin and are no better than any Epiphone pups that always go in the bin, for the same reason, just no zing on the bottom strings. Only matters on clean tones, once over driven ya don't notice. I would have to level all the frets as I am sure it is not right as I can not get the action as low as I like it, that is a big job. I would also have to shave the back of the neck as it is just not right, just feels wrong compared to all my other guitars. As it is what I call a low cost guitar and I have all the tools I will make it far better than it is. One thing is for sure the rave about them is totally unjustified. I would compare it to a few guitars I had made in China, good materials, woods, not so good finish, electrics in the bin. It is a little better than Epis but not much. I had to polish the frets, oil the neck, adjust the neck relief, recut the most important part, the nut, oil the very dry fingerboard, throw the strings in the bin. It is far better than it was and every one needs the same attention, for a person with out the skills and tools, it is a lot of extra cost.
@@terrygrady8413 Wow, sounds like you really had a run of horrible luck. I had a 94' Les Paul that I sold, regretfully. My buddy has the L7 and it's definitely better than any epiphone I've played and the pups are more articulate than an epiphone by far. It's not a les paul but your not paying for one either. I wanted a tele tried many at two shops and I bought a t7 and love it. I definitely will change pups but I expected that, although the pups sound really nice and clean. To bad yours is trash. Maybe send it back?
@@terrygrady8413 You must have had unusually bad luck here.
I researched the guitar a great deal before I bought it. Nobody had the level of dissatisfaction you have.
Sire has commented in the past that it wasn’t really a Les Paul clone. The pickups are deliberately not voiced like a typical modern Paul. Lower gain and brighter. Again, personal preference comes into it.
I’ve had Pauls, Suhr and collings guitars over the years and the latter two were fantastic.
I still have a Les Paul Special reissue and a Hamer Studio in the group.
The Sire I have is pretty flawless.
I did play with pickup height and individual screws on the pickups.
Improved the B and High E string response.
I hope you are able to set it up to your satisfaction.
Spectacular playing! Of course the Gibson sounds fatter, and generally more complex. But at less than 600 dollars for the Sire....dang. I spend that much on a couple of fancy dinners and some good wine.
Can hear a tad more color and crunch on the Gibson but most people wouldn't notice that as much as I have engineer ears...imho
The Sire is a great instrument, but imho the Gibson is more silky, and it has a little more shimmering space around any note that's coming out of it.
Listen with your ears rather than with your eyes ;-)
Had a USA Gibby; not worth the 2000 difference between that and a Sire for sure!
As very well demonstrated in this video; cheers
its a kind of magic 🎸🙏
I didn’t know which was which and I picked the site. I thought it was slightly more buttery or creamy lol. The LP did seem hotter.
Take 2 steps back and give the Vintage (JHS UK) brand a go; especially the Icon (distressed) series - Would love to hear your thoughts and who knows maybe get Rob to pack it properly this time 🤣
I wonder how the Sire would sound with Seymour Duncan SL pickups.
any guitar in your hands will sound amazing
L7 vs Epiphone Les Paul, I think the L7 would win. The Gibson just has a few better specs that you're not gonna get on the L7 without some upgrades. They also know how to select a nice piece of wood. That flame looks incredible.
I think the Sire sounds more sterile , the Gibson gives more sense to the notes ,has got more soul , it's simply more musical. It could even be a matter of pickups but i don't think so.
You can also buy like 5 of the Sire L7s for the price of the gibson. Gibson is God but Sire is hitting way above their belt. Amazing guitar
He plays his favorite guitar with more soul.
At least through the speaker on your iphone…
The Gibson has more body and depth. The Sire sounds really nice, but you'd have to use pedals or the like to achieve the Gibson sound. Nice chops, by the way.
Honestly I prefer the Sire. I own the 2018 les Paul HP and that guitar is insane. I don't care so much for "Tradition." Aesthetically and tonally i love it.
This is a candidate for my 70th birthday, looks like the real deal for a very fair price.
I would say that this type of effected tone, either guitar will work.
5-Stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’d looked at that Gibson on FB but it was a smidge too far to travel. Should have manned up and driven down there😀 Lovely guitar.
He took a LONG time to reply lol
@@johnnathancordy I messaged him and he got back within a couple of hours in my case and my other option was to bully our guitarist into getting it for me as he only lives about 15 mile away from him. I didn’t want to stress him with the responsibility though😀 Wouldn’t sound as good in my hands with my pudgy little wrigglers!
@@JimiH61 oh man. At least we can both gently weep knowing it will be leaving up near Leeds with David Beebee!
Great playing. If you wait a year and replay this with sound only, no VDO, I’d wager you’d strikeout identifying which is which. You mentioned price - No brainer - huh?
Lastly you intimidated a better resale value for Gibson. That resale is difficult to argue but you never know? I concede, Gibson will forever have the greatest resale potential.
Decent set of pickups in the Sire,not that their bad,just an unfair comparison imho.Put it up against an Epiphone,Burny,Etc and it would be a different story.I know looks aren’t important so to speak but the headstock on the Sire is beautiful.
What you need is to hear my crap playing on both! You Sir, could make ANYTHING with 6 ( or 1) strings sound awesome.
What would have been interesting is not showing us which guitar was making which sound until the end. Maybe just put a 1 and 2 over the parts etc.
Would do pretty much anything I could to avoid buying a Gibson USA personally. Played loads and very few have been good imo. The CS stuff is good but these days costs nearly as much as Bartlett and Collings. Just glad I got mine a few years ago and prefer strats since uncle Mark can't after the boutique builders of fender style guitars.
I think you should try an Eastman SB59v - I think that would kick the Gibson's ass!